60 Years of Chloé: Phoebe Philo Takes The Reins

When the Paris-born Phoebe Philo arrived at the house of Chloé in 1997 to be Stella McCartney’s assistant, she was wearing an unexpected accessory: a set of gleaming gold teeth. This sense of irreverence, combined with a disciplined, modern approach to fashion, made her the natural choice to replace McCartney in 2002 and has garnered her an almost fanatic fan base, dubbed “Philophiles.”

Philo instinctively tapped into a desire for clothes that were modern, fluid and unrestrictive, with hints of a 60s-era spirit—think high-waisted jeans and wooden wedges. As Vogue puts it: “Philo’s work at Chloé was free-spirited and fun, with a vintage vibe that hit just the right note in those pre–Great Recession days.”

Philo left Chloé in 2006 to focus on raising her children, but soon found herself working her magic at yet another classic French house, Céline, where she remains now.